Hisham lauds Puad’s decision not to contest

KLUANG: Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi’s decision not to contest as an independent candidate on the advice of Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar is sensible and wise, said Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.

The Umno vice-president said the move by Puad, who is Batu Pahat Umno division head, showed that he upheld the Muafakat Johor concept and placed the party’s struggles above his personal interests.

“I have known Puad for a long time. I feel that Tuanku (Sultan Ibrahim) gave the advice after considering the state’s welfare.

“He does not want leaders to make decisions out of anger, which will jeopardise their credibility,” he said after attending the groundbreaking of a futsal field in Kampung India here in Paloh yesterday.

Hishammuddin, who is also defence and special functions minister, said he was worried that Puad, former director-general of the Department of Special Affairs (Jasa), had made a decision that was against the party’s interests.

“I was worried that Puad had made a decision that was contrary to our ways in Johor.

“But, in the end, he made a decision that I applaud,” he said.

Yesterday, in his Facebook posting, Puad said, as a Johorean and upon the advice of the sultan of Johor, he had decided not to contest as an independent candidate.

He said as a Johor resident who was loyal to the ruler, he obeyed Sultan Ibrahim’s instructions as he was convinced that the sultan had given the advice with the interests of Bangsa Johor at heart.

Puad had said he would contest as an independent candidate when he was not nominated for the 14th General Election and was replaced by Batu Pahat Wanita Umno chief Haliza Abdullah.

However, Puad was not seen at the nomination centre in Batu Pahat on Saturday.

In his Facebook posting, Puad, who resigned from his post as Jasa director-general on April 24, said he was attending his daughter’s reception at her inlaws’ house in Bandar Baru Uda, Johor Baru, on Saturday.